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WILLMAR — A light snowfall is on its way later this afternoon and will continue into the nighttime hours, according to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen. The Weather Service is expecting the snow to reach the Willmar area around 4 p.m. About one-half inch of snow will fall during the daytime hours. Accumulation through the night could bring up to 3 inches of snow to the area.

RAYMOND — Voters in the MACCRAY School District go to the polls Jan. 7 to answer this question, according to School Board Chairman Lane Schwitters: “Does MACCRAY believe a unified school will provide the best education?’’ Schwitters spoke Monday evening to a crowd that filled the library at the MACCRAY Elementary in Raymond.

OLIVIA — Nearly 20 years after a citizens advisory committee urged that a basin-wide board lead efforts to clean up the Minnesota River, the board that took on that role is disbanding. The remaining 18 dues-paying counties comprising the Minnesota River Board voted 11 to 6, with one abstaining, to disband by April the entity that has represented 37 counties in the Minnesota River basin. The vote on Monday morning in Olivia came with a recommendation only that the state look at creating a new entity with a stable funding source to replace it.

APPLETON — When winter’s cold takes hold, it’s very easy for seniors to stay homebound and dwell on all the problems in life, according to Lois Rudnick of Appleton. Fortunately, she knows the antidote. She makes it a practice to head over to the senior nutrition site at the Appleton American Legion post on most weekdays. “I just need to get out,’’ said Rudnick. The mix of good food and socializing with friends never fails to lift her spirits, she said. “You can feel the buzz,’’ said Erick Hedman, of the steady laughter and conversation surrounding him at the meal site on Thursday.

MAYNARD — From the high costs associated with operating three school buildings, to the feared harms that could come to two communities where schools might be closed, it was all placed on the tables Tuesday evening. The MACCRAY School Board hosted its first informal coffee in the library of the West Elementary in Maynard to discuss the upcoming bond referendum. District residents will vote Jan.

To hear the uplifting song of grassland birds come spring, brace for the grumble of chainsaws this winter. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Pheasants Forever to restore grassland habitat on three waterfowl production areas in Kandiyohi County this winter.

MONTEVIDEO — City Council members in Montevideo adopted a 2014 budget and levy Monday. The council also voted to call for a hearing on a slate of proposed street and utility improvements, but took no action on a request by a financial institution to purchase a city-owned lot. Council members at the regular meeting on Monday adopted a $3,993,880 general fund budget for 2014, according to information from City Manager Steve Jones. They adopted a general fund levy of $1,275,430, and set the overall levy including debt service at $1,890,930.

OLIVIA — Renville County’s Park Commission is recommending that the county upgrade and license the campgrounds in four of its most popular parks, rather than limit camping. Jill Bruns, Renville County public health director, told the Renville County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that the recommendation came after she met with the Park Commission about the need to upgrade and license the campgrounds. Currently, the campground at Lake Allie is licensed and meets health code requirements. The campgrounds at Beaver Falls, Birch Coulee, Skalbekken and Vicksburg parks are not in compliance wi